By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 74 pages
of 74
English
"valley of the river Kent"
The name Kendall started life as a locational surname, referring to the town of Kendale in England, and was used as a masculine name for the first half of the 19th century. By the 80s, it was a…
Hebrew
"belonging to God"
Although this is an ancient Old Testament name, it has a pleasant contemporary feel that might appeal to today's parents, who might just as easily use it for a girl. It was one of the fastest rising…
Danish, version of Hebrew Absalom
"the father is peace"
Most American parents would choose to use the more commonly seen variant, Axel, but .this form is preferred in Denmark and Norway, and also ranks in the French Top 400.
Latin
"rival"
Derived from the Latin word aemulus , Emil is a name with international appeal. Concise and sturdy but with the gentle Em sound, Emil is popular across Europe, from Azerbaijan to Finland, from…
"mountain goat"
A unisex Hebrew name sometimes given in Israel to kids born under the goat sign of Capricorn; it's also spelled Yael/Ya'el.
Modern invention, Spanish
"saint of God; God's saint"
A mix of Santiago with the popular ending of Gabriel, Ezekiel, and Eliel, Santiel is a modern choice, which could be interpreted as "saint of God", a meaning that may appeal to spiritual parents.…
Biblical, Hebrew
"gift of God"
An obscure Biblical choice that is gradually growing more popular in the US, Zabdiel could fit in well with other trending choices such as Adriel, Gabriel, Aziel, Uriel, and Castiel. In the Bible,…
Zael is a concise masculine name with possible Hebrew origins, potentially derived from a name meaning "God has delivered." Its compact, single-syllable structure gives it a modern, streamlined feel,…
Aviel is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is my father.' This biblical-inspired name combines 'avi' (father) with 'el' (God), reflecting its deep spiritual significance in Jewish…
Spelling variation of Michael
A spelling variation of Michael—or sometimes simply a mistake. Whatever the case, this version has always ranked in the US Top 1000, though always much lower than the traditional spelling.
"staff bearer"
The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White. The first century…
Uziel is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, meaning 'God is my strength' or 'strength of God.' Found in biblical texts, Uziel appears as the name of several figures in the Old Testament, including…
Osiel is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, derived from the elements meaning 'strength of God' or 'God is my strength.' Similar to more common biblical names like Uziel or Azriel, Osiel carries…
"God will hear"
Ishmael is most familiar through "Call me Ishmael," the opening line spoken by the youthful narrator of Moby-Dick . Few American parents have followed that advice, though the Spanish and Arabic…
"blind"
Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B.…
Spelling variation of Jasiel
"whom God made"
In 2023, Jasiel and Yasiel made their debuts in the US Top 1000, and while Jassiel didn't quite make the cut, it was nevertheless given to more than double the amount of babies it was given to in…
"shield-wolf"
Medieval name without much of a future.
"God is my strength"
An Israeli place-name as well as being the Hebrew form of Gabriel.
Variation of Darrell, French
"dear one, beloved"
Darrell and all its variations was a trendy name in the 1950s and 1960s, an update on David and Daniel that began to fall out of favor by the 1970s and fell out of the Top 1000 completely at the turn…
French
"one who pierces the valley"
There are several Percivals scattered through the Harry Potter series, which might help transform the old-fangled, fussy image it has accrued. Actually, the original Percival was the one perfectly…
